The second and third seasons followed in October and July , respectively, and the fourth season was released in two parts in May and July The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is expected to be released in The show is known for its cast of characters, plot, nostalgic tones, and mix of the horror , drama , science-fiction , mystery , and coming-of-age genres.
Set in the s, the series centers on the residents of the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana , as they are plagued by a hostile alternate dimension known as the Upside Down, after a nearby human experimentation facility opens a gateway between Earth and the Upside Down. The Duffer Brothers developed Stranger Things as a mix of investigative drama and supernatural elements portrayed with horror and childlike sensibilities, while infusing references to the popular culture of the s.
They also took inspiration from experiments conducted during the Cold War and conspiracy theories involving secret government programs. One of Netflix's flagship series, Stranger Things has attracted record viewership on the streaming platform. It has been received positively for its characterization, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and homages to s films.
It has received numerous nominations and awards. An animated spin-off series, developed by Eric Robles and produced by Flying Bark Productions , is in development. Stranger Things is set in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana , in the s. The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory ostensibly performs scientific research for the United States Department of Energy but also secretly experiments with the paranormal and supernatural, sometimes with human test subjects. They have inadvertently created a portal to an alternate dimension they refer to as the Upside Down, whose presence begins to affect the residents of Hawkins in unusual ways.
The first season begins in November when Will Byers is abducted by a creature from the Upside Down. A young psychokinetic girl named Eleven escapes from the laboratory and is found by friends of Will. Eleven befriends and assists them in their efforts to find Will. The second season is set eleven months later, in October Will has been rescued, but he begins having premonitions of the fall of Hawkins caused by a creature in the Upside Down.
